2021 June 1

Daily news wrap-up

Jun/1/2021: (1) Verdict in trial of Serj's nephew (2) Facebook to factcheck Arm. posts (3) Pashinyan visits France (4) Army news (5) POWs & Red Cross (6) Latest stats on DNA analysis of remains; improper storage (7) Police savings; budget stats; debt; expenditures (8) Elections (9) Who joined Serj?
by ar_david_hh

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This is your 10-minute Tuesday report in 2689 words.

Pashinyan visits France / "France is number one"

French Parliament president Ferrand:: We attach great importance to the continuous development of our relations. During the difficult, we were in constant contact with our Armenian colleagues; our deputies were by Armenia's side. We will help the Armenian people overcome the challenges.

Pashinyan: thanks. Armenia has always felt the support of friendly France, including members of the Senate and the National Assembly. And this isn't just about politicians. During a recent survey, to the question of which country do you consider a friend of Armenia, the majority answered France.

Naturally, we are interested in France having a larger presence in Armenia. We would like French businesses and investors to expand their activities in Armenia.

France expressed a clear position regarding the incidents on the Armenia-Azerbaijan borders. We are trying to resolve the conflict diplomatically with the help of our international colleagues.

We value OSCE's role in Karabakh conflict resolution. We value the French Senate's resolution regarding the recognition of the Republic of Artsakh.

Parliament president Ferrand:: we are closely monitoring the events in South Caucasus. France stands with Armenia. We will help establish stability and prosperity in Armenia. You have always trusted us; you can trust us now and in the future. We hope that after the upcoming elections Armenia will restore its unity and move towards the future. //

The French officials once again emphasized the need to respect Armenia's territorial integrity, return POWs, protect cultural monuments in Karabakh. A new resolution is being prepared in Parliament. A French delegation will visit Armenia soon.

Pashinyan met president Macron in Elysee Palace.

Pashinyan: From the first day of the crisis, Macron has spoken the language of truth and it was heard all over the world. [France was first to acknowledge Turkey's recruitment of jihadists for Azerbaijan]. I want to emphasize that France and Macron are still committed, which is very important for resolving the crisis in our region.

I'm happy that the OSCE MG Co-Chairs have made 3 announcements after the ceasefire about restoring Karabakh negotiations. Frace plays an important role in MG.

We also thank France for humanitarian aid and economic investments. There are many infrastructure, energy, etc. projects in Armenia in which France is involved. France and President Marcon personally are interested in these projects.

I invite President Macron to visit Armenia this Autumn. He had plans for last year but it was canceled due to COVID. We look forward to seeing you in Yerevan, Mr. President. //

President Macron: Azeri forces must withdraw from the sovereign territory of Armenia. The border demarcation must be done only through dialogue. I urge both sides to return to May 11 position.

France is ready to help release POWs and detainees and to demine the areas. Protection of cultural sites in Karabakh and surrounding areas is important.

In these difficult times, France is determined to bring peace to the region. //

Nikol Pashinyan paid tribute to the memory of Charles Aznavour. He visited the recently installed monument in Paris.

Pashinyan visited members of the Armenian community in Paris. A group of Armenian protesters gathered not far from the embassy. A few of them attempted to block the motorcade and hit the windows.

Pashinyan during a meeting with the Armenian community: thanks for organizing the meeting. The state is facing serious challenges today. These meetings are important to discuss the issues. Q&As make sense when the most difficult and unpleasant questions are being asked.

As for our dear compatriots who were protesting not far from the embassy, of course, it's their right, but I'd like them to clearly explain where our "treason" was. I pay attention to the accusations and listen to all the arguments.

Community member: I explained that we are meeting with a representative of the state, our problem is not with our state, our problem is our enemies, let's sit together and talk.

Pashinyan: the ceasefire document did not resolve all the problems. We need to face today's challenges in order to create a century of peace. History proved that neither the willingness to compromise nor flexibility did not reduce the aggression towards us. Our challenge remains the same: manage the aggression that has developed around Armenia. //

The mayor of Paris agreed to visit Armenia in October. "We will not leave Armenia and the Armenian people in this difficult time," said Anne Hidalgo. Pashinyan recalled their first-ever meeting a while back, "everything that was agreed upon was implemented."

Pashinyan thanked the Mayor for naming one of Paris's squares after Armenia. "It warms us. I hope that the cooperation between our capitals will deepen, particularly in the fields of education, infrastructure, and tourism."

Pashinyan met the Senate president.

Gerard Larcher: we raised the topic of Armenian POWs in the European Parliament, as a result, they adopted a resolution. Our steps for POW repatriation will be continuous.

Pashinyan: thank you for the resolution about the recognition of the Artsakh Republic. The people of Karabakh saw that they were not alone in the struggle. We hope OSCE will activate soon. //

https://youtu.be/2Ay8mxx82QM

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1053994.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054039.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054040.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054045.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054046.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054054.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054080.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054084.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054096.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054091.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054085.html

Red Cross monitors the Armenian POWs

Education Minister Dumanyan met the Red Cross representative. The latter said they are routinely visiting the POWs and are assisting the families.

They retrained a dozen psychologists so they can retrain teachers in bordering villages so they can help children affected by war.

Red Cross will soon donate 560 tablets to low-income families, on top of earlier 400 donations.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054058.html

army news

A group of soldiers and their family members received awards for their contribution during the 2020 war.

https://factor.am/377139.html

MOD Vagharshak met the representative of Russian military units that guard the borders.

https://factor.am/377188.html

The MOD is recruiting cybersecurity experts.

https://factor.am/377145.html

Russian peacekeepers helped restore electricity in Artsakh's Martuni

Electricity equipment was provided as aid. Two schools will receive first-aid products as a gift.

https://www.panarmenian.net/arm/news/293268/

DNA analysis of war casualties continues / investigation over improper storage of bodies

As you already know, the Healthcare Ministry reported earlier this month that the DNA tools have so far been unable to identify 300 bodies, with another 70 being in the process. The remnants are being stored in medical facilities until a solution is found.

Today the Minister Avanesyan apologized for improper storage of the remains, saying "I should have personally verified again that it's stored properly after the recent transportation. There will be an investigation. We will provide the latest reports about the DNA analysis progress soon. These bodies had already undergone analysis and the results were shared with families."

Premier's spokeswoman: Pashinyan instructed an administrative investigation to reveal officials responsible for the negligent behavior regarding the storage conditions. The Healthcare Ministry learned and addressed the problem yesterday. //

The Healthcare Ministry provided the latest stats about the DNA analysis process:

All bodies and remains have undergone an analysis. 50 have not been identified even after multiple DNA attempts. 149 bodies were analyzed but are yet to be matched with families' DNA. Several other bodies are identified but are yet to be picked up by families for funeral.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1053997.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054017.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/nepovm/may172021_1_syunik_gegharkunik_borders_2_more https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/215159

Facebook will increase fact-checking of Armenian-language content to fight misinformation

The contractor is "FactCheck Georgia". They will cooperate with Armenian NGO "MIC" to combat Armenian-language misinformation on Facebook and Instagram.

https://factor.am/377068.html More: https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/215229

Armenia and Russia discuss nature protection programs

Nature Minister Romanos visited Russia to meet his counterpart Kozlov. They discussed responsible use of nature and cooperation in the ongoing project to plant 10 million trees in Armenia.

Romanos thanked Kozlov for helping with the renovation of 40% of Armenia's meteorological monitoring equipment.

They spoke about the ongoing process to ban plastic bags in Armenia; "it's a phased process".

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054020.html

the police are monitoring the electoral campaign process

There have been 27 complaints during the campaign process, with the majority being about candidates' promotional posters being ripped away from walls. Five cases have been resolved; the police found the people who ripped Kocharyan's posters.

No major incidents such as bribery busts (yet).

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054041.html https://factor.am/377023.html

police might pursue forgery charges against former official over education papers

As you know from yesterday's post, Panama Paper suspect Mihran Poghosyan fled Armenia after the revolution to avoid money laundering charges. He recently decided to join Serj Sargsyan's alliance and run for elections. For that, he needed to prove that his lengthy stay in Moscow was for educational purposes.

He presented Moscow university certificates. The police say they contacted the Russian university and learned that one of them was a fake certificate. Now the police are considering forgery against Poghosyan. [another Belgorod certificate is being examined]

https://factor.am/377032.html https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/npcog5/may312021_1_more_mfa_resignations_after/

CIS will also send a group to monitor the elections

The ex-Soviet republics will have 70 representatives in Yerevan and provinces.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054057.html

today Levon Ter-Petrosyan's office rejected Pashinyan's offer to hold a public debate

Kocharyan had refused earlier.

https://factor.am/376949.html

here are a few famous individuals who joined Serj Sargsyan's alliance

Taguhi Tovmasyan: the owner of opposition media outlet armlur (Joghovurd). There were rumors that she planned to sell her outlet to the former regime but it was never confirmed. The rumors about her joining the former regime as MP are now official. She was part of Pashinyan's alliance as an independent MP until recently.

Tigran Abrahamyan: a military commentator active on social media.

Judge Karine Petrosyan: she quit as a judge recently. Months before her resignation, she was placed under a disciplinary investigation over complaints.

Former Yerevan Mayor Taron Margaryan.

Panama Papers suspect Mihran Poghosyan.

Urologist Gevorg Gevorgyan.

More: https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/215213 https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/lxv4v1/mar42021_1_vaccines_2_parliament_grills_judges_3/

public TV will donate part of political ad revenue to fertility programs

The fertility program called 'Armenian Child' will receive donations. 2,500 couples are on the queue list.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054064.html

Serj Sargsyan's nephew Hayk Sargsyan is found guilty on one count, acquitted of second

[updated]

Hayk Sargsyan was charged with attempted murder and illegal gun possession.

Today judge Anna Danibekyan found him guilty of unintentionally causing great bodily injury. Not enough evidence was provided that he possessed the gun, said the court regarding the second charge.

The incident happened many years ago and the statute of limitations has expired, so he won't be imprisoned now. The incident was about him allegedly getting high and wounding his friend before using his father's influence to convince his other friend to make a false confession.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054072.html https://jam-news.net/nephew-of-former-armenian-president-suspected-of-attempted-murder/

Tokyo Olympics countdown clock in Yerevan

... was launched by Olympics committee boss Gagik Tsarukyan. 51 days are left. "We need victories."

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054081.html

COVID stats

3280 tested. 108 infected. 221 healed. 7 deaths. 3822 active.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054007.html

how much did Armenia spend on programs relating COVID and war?

Pandemic: ֏75.3b ($145m)

War: ֏124b ($238m)

Last year the govt spent ֏560b ($1.07b) on pensions and other aid.

https://factor.am/376844.html

the size of the debt held by...

Central Bank: $0.459b

Government: $7.509b

... from which: $5.593b external, $1.915b internal.

https://factor.am/376844.html

microeconomic stability and debt-to-GDP ratio

Deputy Premier Grigoryan: 2020 was considered exceptional and allowed for a flexible response to withstand shocks through budget changes. As a result of positive behavior by taxpayers and foreign aid, we were able to keep the macroenvironment stable. Healthcare and military expenditures increased.

The pandemic and war caused new problems. The government will develop and publish a plan to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio below 60% within the next 5 years to keep it within the target. //

Finance Minister Janjughazyan Keeping the macroeconomic stability and providing public/business assistance through 2020 came at the cost of borrowing funds. We managed to pay a relatively adequate price to achieve the set results. The debt-to-GDP ratio reached 63.5% while the deficit was 5%. //

The Audit Chamber: it's important to create a plan to reduce the ratio below 60%. State institutes must conduct internal audits more properly and define clear financial indicators as goals so that assessing the effectiveness of various measures will be possible. Right now 18% of measures do not have clear target indicators.

Central Bank chief Martin: the pandemic had a negative impact on tax revenues in 2020 with a 5.4% decline. In 2020 the expenditures rose 16.3% due to aid packages and pension expenditure increase.

Due to the effective combination of fiscal and monetary policies, it was possible to ensure macroeconomic stability, which is a very important achievement, taking into account the challenges of the year. Not all assistance measures were completed fully, however. //

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054014.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054022.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054055.html https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054031.html

IRS provides tax collection stats for the January-May period of...

2019: ֏571b (֏43b refunded)

2020: ֏583b (֏53b refunded)

2021: ֏618b (֏68b refunded)

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054038.html

Armenia and Kazakhstan agree to expand economic cooperation by 2025

Economy Ministry Qerobyan visited Kazakhstan. The latter wants to increase exports to Armenia by $231m: oil and chemicals ($139m), metallurgy ($23m), food processing ($36m), etc.

Kazakh Minister: the EAEU bloc has allowed us to triple the trade since 2015, reaching $15m in 2020 [ain't much but it's honest work]. The COVID did not prevent us from increasing trade by 30% in 2020. [Import/export volumes are almost equal] //

Armenian Minister: e-trade is developing around the world. We should work together to develop this platform. //

The two discussed allowing Armenian businesses to use the Kazakh "Khorgos" trade zone to gain access to the Chinese market and other Asian states.

Armenia and Kazakhstan want to resume direct flights and create a joint logistics center in Russia's Astrakhan to boost trade. Armenian investments in Kazakhstan are expected to double by 2025.

Enterprize Armenia and KazakhInvest will establish a direct connection to help businesses.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054034.html

police department saves billions by outsourcing some jobs to private contractors

The police had a ֏65b budget last year (48% salaries), a few billion less. There were savings relating to a reorganization in the protection of some buildings. Here the police paid private contracts to do the job.

Capital expenditures reduced ֏1.7b due to some "defunding".

The average police wages (including bonuses) were ֏281k.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054035.html

a mentally ill naked man at a police station

A puzzling video was circulated showing a handcuffed naked man arguing with policemen at a police station.

Today a police official was asked to comment on the video. He said a mentally challenged man appeared "in that state" at a police station and began acting inappropriately. The incident happened last September. He denied "torture".

https://youtu.be/8X5GFNWTlm8?t=191

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/215181

President Armen Sarkissian revives a little-known tradition

He invited children to his residency (not Neverland, go away trolls). This time they came from border villages, provinces, and Artsakh. He took them to a movie theater to watch the new Armenian cartoon Olympicos before playing trivia games and doing science projects in the Presidential residency.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054075.html https://youtu.be/X-c8IjHWWTk

Soccer Spoiler: Armenia (rank 90) vs Croatia (rank 14)

Croatia was the runner-up of the 2018 World Cup. Today they played a 1:1 tie against Armenia. A very good result for the Armenian team.

Armenian coach Caparros made a few changes to activate the team, after which Armenia tied the game. [is he vindicated for letting Henrikh rest for now?]

The next match is against Sweden.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054094.html

Henrikh Mkhitaryan will stay in Roma

The contract is expended by 2 years.

https://armenpress.am/arm/news/1054093.html

Azeri weightlifting European champion took doping

Kostava is facing 8 years of suspension and revocation of the gold medal.

https://www.armtimes.com/hy/article/215201

Turkish whistleblower claims Erdogan armed terrorist group in Syria

Surprise. Turkish Mafiosi-turned-canary Sedat Peker has been making bombshell allegations lately about murder plots and other illegal dealings by Erdogan circles.

Now he claims Erdogan sent weapons to al-Nusra terrorist organization in Syria in 2015. It's an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. They allegedly channeling the arms through a military group SADAT, created by Erdogan's ex-adviser.

https://factor.am/376802.html https://www.duvarenglish.com/turkish-mafia-leader-claims-erdogans-parallel-army-sent-weapons-to-al-nusra-in-syria-news-57667

ICYM: Monday report

https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/npcog5/may312021_1_more_mfa_resignations_after/

Все Новости за 31 мая 2021 (by Impossible-Ad-)

https://www.reddit.com/r/ArmDailyReports_RUS_/comments/nppkdn/все_новости_за_31_мая_2021/

end of report

The accused are innocent unless proven guilty in the court of law, even if they "appear" guilty.

News archive: http://www.armeniapedia.org/wiki/Daily_Anti-Corruption_Reports

Donations: soldiers' families, humanitarian aid, US tax-deductible donation.

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Link to original report and comments: https://www.reddit.com/r/armenia/comments/nq50hs/jun12021_1_verdict_in_trial_of_serjs_nephew_2/